Portable fence



UNITED STATES ATnNT muon.

PORTABLE FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 420,475, dated February 4, 1890. I Application iiled September 19, 1889. Serial No. 324,415. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB R. SWICKARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gahanna, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Iniprovements in Portable Fences, of which the following is a specification. 1 l

My invention relates to a portable fence of the character commonly known as a Worm-fence, and it consists in the construction of the portable panels of such a fence, as is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

` In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure l is a view of a single panel. of my improved fence. Fig. 2 represents several of said panels connected together to form a worm-fence.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates the main uprights or posts of each fence-panel, one of said posts being located near each end of every panel. These main posts A are connected by horizontal bars or rails B, preferably four in number. As shown, the two upper bars or rails B project a short distance beyond the post or upright A at one end of the panel and the two lower bars or rails project a short distance beyond the other post or upright at the opposite end of said panel. The rails or bars B in each panel are secured by nails or otherwise to opposite sides of the uprights or posts A, as shown in Fig. l, so that one ot' said posts will be on the inside of the panel and one on the outside, and the adjacent panels are so arranged, as shown in Fig. 2, that the posts of the connected panels will be in close contact with each other throughout their entire length, thereby effectually bracing the fence in such a manner as to preserve its proper form and renderit firm and steady.

To the projecting ends of the bars or rails B on the same sides with and adjacent to the main posts A are secured vertical braces C, by means of nails-or otherwise. These braces C project, respectively, above or below the horizontal bars or rails B, to which they are secured-that is to say, the vertical brace C at one end of a panel projects above the lower horizontal bars or rails, While the brace at the other end of the panel projects below the upper bars or rails. Each end of every fence-panel is thus provided With an interlocking space D, capable of receiving at least one of the horizontal bars of the adjoining panel. Vhen the panels are connected to form a worm-fence, as shown in Fig. 2, the braces O of each panel aiford a bearing for the horizontal bars ot' the adjacent panel on the sides opposite to the main upright posts.

By placing the panelstogether at obtuse angles with their ends interlocked, the adjacent main posts A being indirect and close contact throughout their entire length on the inner side of each corner or angle and the braces C on the outer side, the fence will be securely braced, so as to remain firm and steady without requiring the assistance of any posts or stakes planted in the ground.

Each panel of the fence is preferably provided at or about the center with a vertical stay E, secured to the horizontal bars or rails B in any suitable manner; but'these stays are not essential.

If desired, the main posts A can be connected near their upper ends by wire loops F, or, instead of these loops, I may fasten caps G, of wood or metal, to the upper ends of the adjacent main posts; but neither the loops nor the caps are absolutely necessary to the stability of the fence.

In a fence of this description the labor and expense of providing post-holes are avoided, the fence can be cheaply and yet substan- Vtially constructed of ordinary lumber, and the panels, being portable and of like construction throughout, can be readily removed and set up in any required location.

What I claim as my invention is- A portable worm-fence having each panel composed ot rails B, .posts A, secured, respectively, to opposite sides of the rails, with the series of upper rails and the series of lower rails extended at opposite ends, respectively, beyond the posts, and braces O, secured, respectively, to the extended ends of the said rails and proj ect-ing upward and downward to form an unobstructed interlock In testimony whereof I have tlxed my sig;-

ing space D between the projecting end of nature in presence of two Witnesses. each brace and the edge of the adjacent post, each of said braces being secured to the same side of the rails as the post adjacent thereto, substantially as described and shown.

JACOB R. S\VICKARD.

Witnesses:

IVOR HUGHES, G. J. MANsoN. 

